☼ Hello Everyone ☼

Scaling Mount Timbak was really such a great experience! Meeting with new folks, be inspired by the locals, sharing insights and laughing over silly jokes with the Conqueror Outdoor Club it was indeed a meaningful and fun experience that I will treasure forever.

Glad our CAGBALETE ISLAND Trip was a success. Thanks to Ms. Tess of Villa Cleofas who answered all of my inquiries and to Josiah Sicad of Lakas Trip. I'm glad that I stumbled upon his blog for this made our journey possible in the cheapest way.

We face a lot of challenges everyday of our lives. Some are easy to handle while some may seem too much for us to take. And as I gradually became fond of climbing lately I realized that Life is.. Life is also a mountain to climb!

I was very sincere in seeking God. But I also saw the reality that my religiosity in church did not carry over to my life at home. I got angry at my nieces and pinched them whenever they touched my things, gave my mom, my ate, a weeks/ or month of silent treatment in rebellion to their strictness, spent hours devouring novels and giving way to my imaginations. I was selfish and self-centered.

Monday, April 30, 2012

The Sky Garden's Sky Dome has become a premiere entertainment destination in the North Metro area. Last December when they had this Snowy Village where mall-goers experience the Northpole Christmas from which kids and even young at heart truly enjoy. Now, another big and exciting sea adventures come your way as SM City North Edsa takes you to Sea Explorers World at the Sky Garden

Featuring replicas of nine of the most famous sea creatures in the world - dolphins, walrus, sea lions, killer whales, emperor penguins, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, pelicans and great white shark in their natural habitat in the different areas of Sky Garden from April 27 until may 31, 2012.

Dolphin Lagoon
Dolphins are marine mammals closely related to whales and porpoises. Half of their brain can sleep at a time, leaving the other part fully awake to keep them afloat and aware of dangers. They also need to be partly awake so they can breathe. This makes them very unique from most mammals who lived on land.

Dolphin Lagoon

Have you gone dolphin watching? You might ask why they have to jump out of the water when swimming? This sounds funny but dolphins jump in the air to save energy, as it consumes less energy traveling through air than water.

Walrus Shores
Unlike the dolphin, a walrus can sleep while it swims. When it's time to sleep, the walrus fill its throat sacs with air for them to function like floaters and keep them on water.

Walrus Shores

Walrus can eat up to 120 pounds of food a day! They can consume 3000-6000 clams in one go! Sadly, walruses have been close to extinction for some time, because they are hunted for their tusks, oil, skin and meat.

Orca, the Great Killer Whale Pool.
Orca is a toothed whale belonging to the ocenic dolphin family . Although they're tagged as the killer whales they are not considered a threat to humans. They're the largest of the dolphin family. Orca are called the killer whales not because they feed on humans but because they do sometimes kill other whales, hunting them in packs.

Orca, the Great Killer Whale Pool.

An Orca is literally larger than life! Imagine they can stretch up to 32 feet long and weigh 12,000 lbs - thats roughly 600 times our size! With that, they all have the second-heaviest brains among marine mammals - all those brain neurons make them easily trainable.

Sea Lion Coast
Sea Lions are known to be highly intelligent animals - we see them in parks- performing tricks not all animals can do. They are so smart they have also been trained to assist the United States navy!

Sea Lion Coast

Have you seen Sea Lions cry? That's not because they're sad - their tear ducts are simply removing the salt water from their eyes. They do have clear eyesight but are nearsighted. But unlike us, they can see better in the water than on land.

Did you know that even if they live in water, sea lions don't actually drink water? they get all the water they need from their food! Amazing!

Emperor Penguin Park
Among the 17 species of penguins, Emperor Penguins are the largest. Being the only penguin that can survive the Antarctic's icy weather all year round, they live in the Antarctic with an average life span of 20 years. To identify them, they are penguins with tall stature and yellow color around their necks.

Emperor Penguin Park

Their wings have the highest feather density of any bird species, but they cannot fly. Sad, right? But even if they cannot fly as seabirds, they can dive deeper than any other known bird species, and they use this skill to catch their food deep in the ocean.

Did you know that a group of penguins are called differently when on land and at sea? On land they are called a waddle of penguins, while at sea, a raft.

Pelican Aviary
If its not a typical bird and not a plane, it could be a pelican! Unlike other birds, pelicans have bold, black and white markings, blue legs, an enormous bill with pink pouch and yellow eye rings. All pelicans have elongated bills and throat pouches. they have the largest bill among birds at 18 inches. They use this to catch fish and rainwater for drinking.

Pelican Aviary

So what are you waitin for? Definitely there are more reasons to go malling and enjoy summer at SM City North EDSA!

Friday, April 20, 2012

I captured this image on my way to galle yesterday. To be honest, I was smiling while taking this pic. Well, who wouldn't be? I mean, if you were there on that very moment, you can feel the love. They're holding each other tenderly, the woman guiding the man slowly to their destination. While me at the back, stalking. hehe. But seriously it gives me a happy feeling. Seeing them, gives me hope - that NOT everybody in this world just ends up getting a divorce or annulment here in the Philippines, hindi talaga!. It also reminds me that, "ei I'm not that old!"uhuh. Its just that I haven't found the right one for me yet and there is really someone out there for me, for us :)

At the back of my mind, I say, I wish I could be like them.

Here's another shot, seriously, I silently tried to guess what's on her mind. Curious? see caption. :p

Woman: Huwag kang mag-alala, andito lang ako. ^^

Yeah, I can be a melodramatic sometime. Hehe. So thats it, I hope these photos also inspire you and makes you realize that someone can actually love you forever. :) ayieeeee... :p

Saturday, April 14, 2012

PRESS RELEASE: Highlands Coffee is the leading supplier and distributor of Vietnamese coffee products in Vietnam. A brand under Viet Thai International Joint Stock Company (VTI), Highlands Coffee is Vietnam’s largest coffee chain for 12 years now since it started in October of 2000.

Committed to serving people with uniquely Vietnamese coffee experience, Highlands Coffee combines the best of the modern and traditional Vietnam in its every cup of coffee. Highlands Coffee seeks to share this unique coffee experience with the world as it ended the previous year with significant partnerships to pioneer Highlands Coffee’s international expansion in the Philippines.

Making steps outside its home country, Highlands Coffee’s rights for distribution in the Philippines was given to Digital Paradise, Inc. (DPI), operator of the country’s largest internet cafe chain, Netopia. Now, Highlands Coffee extends its efforts to share a unique coffee experience to Filipinos as it ventures to offer its signature drinks to Café Republiq’s menu.

To celebrate its partnership, Highlands Coffee throws a pre-concert party for Republiq’s concert featuring Grammy award winning DJ/producer, Afrojack. Headed by the President of DPI, Michael Lacy, Highlands Coffee treats its guests to a whole night of great fun and unique experience at Café Republiq.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Premium Vietnamese coffee brand,Highlands Coffee, expands and reaches out internationally,
for the first time in 12 years. Highlands Coffee has chosen the Philippines as its first international destination for expansion because of Filipinos’ love for coffee. Highlands Coffee may now be enjoyed at CaféRepubliq in Resorts World, Manila.

Highlands Coffee at Café Republiq

Recently, my sister invited me to go with her on Afrojack Concert Party from which a pre-party celebration was held at Republiq. The café republic initially appealed to me because of its relaxed pace, somewhere to enjoy a cup of coffee, read a book, or meet with friends.

The place was dimly lit which add to feelings of privacy. It has a tall lampshades between black elegant couches and candle lights in each marbled table top which I find romantic. ^^ The interiors gave a cozy impression with European influence too which fits with the bar as it looks sexy in style and elegant.

Highlands Café bar - showcasing bottle of wine

Café nong, highlands black coffee version was one of the coffee's that I tried.

Vietnamese roasted bean

It was a freshly brewed pure black coffee served in a cup and coffee filter.

Sunday, April 08, 2012

Weeks ago, we went to Republiq Superclub in Resorts world Manila courtesy of a free pass and table we've got from Highlands Coffe. This is actually the first time I tried partying in a classy club like Republiq as DJ Afrojack grooved the night away. I admired how the club looks like. Its classy and chic, bigger and well ventilated. Saw a lot of foreigners and celebs partying too!

DJ Afrojack as he plays one of his famous remix - ♫ tonight Give me everything tonight ♫

I'm such a noob - I never realized that the club imposed dress code. So me straight from work wearing a cargo pants and polo shirt while girls are wearing their sexiest best! while most men are in ties - I was like.. ok awkward ^^. Republiq is really a place for partying with lots of beautiful people to meet - you could never go wrong with that.

When DJ Afrojack plays, everyone gets down in celebration of the music.

As for me, I like the place for my dancing moods, though I'd still prefer the outdoor mode of adventuring. We'll there are actually reasons why I'm not just into clubbing. First, the lingering smell of cigarette smoke that lurks in my hair and clothes really irks me. I like loud music but not too loud where you can't even hear each other talk. The flashing lights, the glow sticks, the neon headbands -- I admin, these often makes me feel dizzy. And lastly, I particularly don't like sweaty bodies rubbing up against me in a crowded dance floor.

Anyway, this is just me. I have nothing against clubbing, its just that I preferred other stuff.
Like embracing the air and winds at the top of mountain, the roaring sounds of the waves makes me feel relaxed :), killing the time, staring at the night sky with the glowing stars are incomparable. I guess, I just love to be outdoors - it gives me compulsion to explore, to wonder what is possible. Yeah, people do have different perspective. :)

Monday, April 02, 2012

White Cove is about 3 hours drive from Pasig. Yesterday, April 1, when we had our first family outing for year 2012. And yehEss! We had a blast! It has been a donkey's years since the family visited Batangas.

We took the South Luzon Expressway all the way to the second to the last exit, then took the Star Tollway going to San Juan. The drive is long but it was ok -- traffic isn't bad plus its a beautiful stretch of road along the way!

Happiness is a weekend with family filled with beautiful weather

White Cove Beach Resort has a reasonable Day Trip rate of 150 pesos per head. They have Guesthouse and rooms for overnight visitors which ranges from 5,000php - 21,000php per night. While rental picnic huts rental is around 800php per unit per day.

Below are there different cottages and tables. I suggest to check out their website for updated rates.

What I like about the resort is that they have the wide stretch of fine, white sand. I also soO love this small river that meets the sea when its high tide. ^^ So relaxing and yet so invigorating!